Appeal Filed to Strike Down Unconstitutional Checkpoint Program

Appeal Filed to Strike Down Unconstitutional Checkpoint Program

Posted on October 29, 2008

Partnership for Civil Justice Media Advisory

In response to a ruling today in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia denying plaintiffs' Motion for a Preliminary Injunction to end the D.C. police's illegal checkpoint program, the plaintiffs immediately filed a Notice of Appeal to the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals.

"This battle for the constitutional rights of residents of D.C. has just begun," stated Mara Verheyden-Hilliard, co-founder of the Partnership for Civil Justice and counsel on the case, Mills et al v District of Columbia. "The D.C. police are engaged in an unprecedented and illegal expansion of police power in direct violation of well-established constitutional law. The plaintiffs have filed their Notice of Appeal and are standing up in support cherished civil rights and liberty."

"The D.C. police assert the authority to stop and seize people lawfully travelling on public roadways, subject them to interrogation about their associations, family, friends and contacts, and then deny the ability to travel on if at the police officer's determination the reason for travel is not deemed "legitimate." This extraordinary program, which is also ineffective at stopping crime, has no role in a free society and must be brought to an end," stated Carl Messineo, co-founder of the Partnership for Civil Justice, also counsel on this matter.